Epidemiological characteristics of measles in children in Togo from 2020 to 2024: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

In Togo, despite efforts to achieve optimal vaccination coverage, measles continues to be prevalent in the country. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological, diagnostic, and preventive aspects of measles in children. This was a cross-sectional study of measles data from 2020 to 2024 in Togo among children under 18 years of age. The measles database of the “Institut National d’Hygiène” was used for the study. It was a secondary analysis of national measles surveillance data. A time, place, and person analysis was performed. A total of 3,135 suspected cases were recorded. There were 1,251 confirmed cases. The confirmation rate was 39.9% (CI 38.2–41.6%) with 3 deaths among confirmed cases. The median age was 3.7 years (IQR 1.9–6.0) for confirmed cases. The sex-ratio was 1.03 among confirmed cases. A higher proportion of confirmed cases was observed among females compared to males (42.0% vs. 37.8%, p = 0.016). In rural areas 707 cases were confirmed, compared with 397 cases in urban areas. The number of confirmed cases was highest in the Maritime and the Plateaux regions, with 380 and 352 cases respectively (p < 0.001). Most confirmed cases were notified in the years 2022 and 2023 with 619 and 444 cases respectively (p < 0.001). The frequency of confirmed cases was lower among vaccinated suspected cases compared to unvaccinated suspected cases (p < 0.001). Measles confirmed cases was highest in the Maritime and the Plateaux regions and the frequency of confirmed cases was lower among vaccinated suspected cases. Response measures and awareness campaigns to improve vaccination coverage are needed.